Automatic pin forming and inserting machine

ABSTRACT

A button and pin assembly machine for producing badges and the like comprising buttons having rearwardly extending rims adapted to receive and retain respective pin structures therein, in which the buttons are sequentially supplied to a pin-forming head and supported thereat with the button rim encircling the end of such head, straight pin blanks being sequentially supplied to said head, with a portion of a pin blank being inserted into the head and rotated thereby with respect to a stationary abutment to curl an end of such blank sufficiently to enable its insertion in the rim of a button disposed thereat, said head having means for forming a bend in the portion of the pin blank inserted in such head to resiliently bias the pointed end of the pin blank toward the button.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Frank 1. Wallace Chicago, Ill. 1211 Appl. No. 784,817 [22] Filed Dec. 18, 1968 [451 Patented July 6, 1971 I73] Assignee Adcraft Mfg. Co.

Chicago, Ill.

[54] AUTOMATIC PIN FORMING AND lNSERTlNG MACHINE 13 Claims, 16 Drawing Figs.

[52] 1.1.8. Cl 79/1, 29/21 1 [511 lnt.Cl A44b 1/06 [50] Field of Search 79/1; 29/208, 208 D, 211

(56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,591,203 4/1952 Schmalz 79/1 Primary ExaminerDonald R1 Schran Attorney-Hill, Sherman, Meroni, Gross & Simpson ABSTRACT: A button and pin assembly machine for producing badges and the like comprising buttons having rearwardly extending rims adapted to receive and retain respective pin structures therein, in which the buttons are sequentially supplied to a pin-forming head and supported thereat with the button rim encircling the end of such head, straight pin blanks being sequentially supplied to said head, with a portion of a pin blank being inserted into the head and rotated thereby with respect to a stationary abutment to curl an end of such blank sufficiently to enable its insertion in the rim of a button disposed thereat, said head having means for forming a bend in the portion of the pin blank inserted in such head to resiliently bias the pointed end of the pin blank toward the button.

PATENTED JUL 61% SHEET 2 OF 5 flaw J. M44405 PATENTED JUL 6 l9?! SHEET 3 BF 5 m5 NC WM J M \w D/n MMWM PATENTEIJJUL 5I97| 3 590555 SHEET 4 UF 5 IN VlL/Vl (m. FRANK J 14444.44?

MMWM W- AUTOMATIC PIN FORMING AND INSERTING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Display badges of the type here involved employ a button member, usually of circular peripheral configuration, provided with a rearwardly extending rim, the inner face of which is concave to receive and retain the mounting portion of a wire pin structure therein. Buttons of this type normally employ a pin formed from a piece of wire stock, for example of brass, with the pin structure having a substantially straight portion provided with a point at its free end and connected at its opposite end to a mounting portion which is of generally arcuate configuration and in its normal unrestricted state, having a larger radius of generation than the rim of the button whereby the mounting portion of the spring may be contracted suffciently to permit its insertion within the rimmed portion of the button, and upon release, will expand into engagement with the rim, being retained thereby in assembly with the button. To ensure effective retention of the badge on an object, the pointed straight pin portion is usually provided, adjacent its connection with the mounting portion, with an outwardly extending offset or bend'therein which disposes such end in spaced relation with respect to the inner face of the button, and at the same time biases the pointed end toward such inner face.

Button structures of this general type have been employed for years and it has been the usual process to fabricate the finished button member and preform the spring structure which was subsequently manually engaged with the rim of the button. I

The present invention is directed to the production of a machine which will automatically assemble a pin structure in a button, the supply of buttons and supply of pin blanks being automatically fed to the machine. This is accomplished in the present invention by suitably supporting a button, feeding a straight wire pin blank into the proximity of the button, and thereat forming the arcuate mounting portion of the pin structure in such a manner that upon completion, it will be released into engagement with the rim of the button, and at the same time, a bend or deformation is put into the pin portion of the structure adjacent its juncture with the mounting portion thereof, following which the button assembly is discharged therefrom and the cycle repeated.

The present invention thus enables the automatic assembly of button and pin structures, completely eliminating manual assembly operations and thus a considerable reduction in cost of the finished button. Likewise, considerable time is saved as the forming and assembly of the pin structure with the button requires substantially no more time than that originally required to merely form the pin structure. As manual assembly operations were usually performed by low-cost labor, often working in the home rather than in the factory, manual assembly often involved in addition to the actual assembly operations, handling, boxing, and transporting operations as well as considerably increasing the overall manufacturing time to produce assembled buttons.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention utilizes a rotatable wire-forming head or mandrel which is cooperable with respective transport mechanisms for supplying buttons and wire pin blanks to the head. The arrangement is such that a pin blank in the form ofa straight length of wire stock pointed at one end is fed into a diametrically extending slot in the end of the head with the amount of insertion determining the length of the pin portion of the formed pin structure. At the same time a button is trans ported to and supported at the end of the head with the button rim encircling the latter. The inserted portion ofthe pin blank is engaged to retain the blank in position and the head rotated with respect to a fixed abutment engageable with the pin blank adjacent its point of entry into the slot whereby continued rotation of the head will result in the production of a curl in the remaining exposed part of the pin blank which is to form the mounting portion of the finished pin structure. Such rotation will result in a wrapping of the adjacent portion of the pin blank around the outer cylindrical surface of the mandrel until the free end of such portion passes and is disengaged from the fixed abutment, at which time the resilience of the stock forming the pin structure will cause the mounting portion to expand into the rim of the button disposed at the end of'the head. Prior to the conclusion of the forming of the mounting portion and expansion into the button, the gripping means on the head in engagement with the pin portion is moved inwardly to form a crimp or bend in such portion of the pin structure adjacent its connection with the mounting portion. Following expansion of the mounting portion into the button rim, the gripping means is rendered inoperable, the button assembly is removed from the head and discharged from the machine. A new pin blank fed into the head and a new button is then moved into position with the subsequent operations above described being repeated.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the rotation of the head is effected through a rack and pinion arrangement with the rack being actuated by a belllcrank driven by the main drive shaft of the device while the transport mechanism for the buttons is driven through suitable gearing actuated by' the head-rotating means. Transport of the pin blanks is effected by the reciprocating means associated with the head-rotating rack while actuation of means for retaining the button in operative position at the head and the means for effecting a bend in the pin portion are effected by rotary cam means.

Likewise, in the embodiment illustrated, rotative movement is transmitted from the rack-actuated pinion to the head by a plurality ofpawls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an assembly mechanism embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the operating mechanism of the device illustrated in FIG. 1, with portions broken away to show details thereof;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line III-Ill ofFIG. 2;

' FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line IV-IV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line V-V of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line VII-VII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a'sectional view taken approximately on the line Vllll-VllI of FIG. I;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line lX-IX ofFlG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the wire-forming head as the same would appear immediately following insertion of the pin blank therein;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view through the head taken approximately on the line XI-XI of FIG. 10;

FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and are end elevational views similar to FIG. i0, illustrating changed positions of the head as the latter rotates in forming the pin structure; and

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line XVI-XVI ofFlG. l5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The apparatus illustrated involves three primary cooperable and coordinated functional assemblies or groups of elements, the first of which is a forming head or mandrel, constructed to receive and form a pin blank into a finished pin structure which is then engaged with the button with which it is to cooperate. The second is the mechanism for sequentially transporting buttons to a cooperable position with respect to the head, and the third is the mechanism for sequentially feeding pin blanks into the forming head.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. l-4, the reference numeral 1 indicated generally a housing or casing, illustrated as of rectangular construction having a front wall 2, rear wall 3, end walls 4 and 4, a bottom wall 5, and a top cover member 5. Extending from the front wall 2 of the housing is the free end ofa forming head or mandrel indicated generally by the numeral 6 adapted to be selectively rotated by actuating means disposed in the housing, the head being adapted to receive individual buttons from a button transport mechanism indicated generally by the numeral 7 and a pin blank supply mechanism indicated generally by the numeral 8 adapted to sequentially feed pin blanks to the forming head at which the pin blank is formed into the desired pin structure and inserted in the button supplied by the mechanism 7. The mechanism for actuating the head 6, button supply means 7 and pin blank supply means 8 is disposed in the housing 1 and adapted to be driven by a drive shaft 9 through a drive pulley 10 or other suitable means.

The Pin-Forming Mechanism The main actuating part of the pin-forming mechanism is the head 6, the details of which are illustrated in FIGS. 36. The mandrel 6 is a fabricated member consisting of a plurality of assembled parts including the actual forming head 11, rotatably supported from the wall 2 in a bearing 12, the outer edge of which is sealed by an annular plate 13. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the outer free end of the head 11 is provided with a.substantially diametrically extending slot 14 therein, the bottom wall of which is inclined and converges toward'a hump former l5, constructed in the form of a cylindrical rod having a wire-engaging hooklike portion 16 at its outer end and mounted in the head 11 for rotational and axial movement with respect thereto. As will be apparent from a reference to FIGS. 3 and 6, the axis of the rod is offset with respect to the axis of the head 11. A ratchet drum 17 is secured to the head 11 in axial alignment therewith by suitable means such as bolts 18 and extending rearwardly in axial alignment therewith is a tubular shaft 19, the latter rotatably supporting, for example on bushings 21, a pawl-carrying member 22 which is provided with two circular discs 23 and 24 connected by an intermediate portion 25 of reduced diameter which has formed thereon a drive pinion 26.

Pivotally mounted on the disc23 is a drive pawl 27 which is generally of L-shape configuration having a generally rectangular arm 28 and a transversely extending arm 29, a tension spring 31 being secured at one end thereof to the free end of the arm 29 and at its opposite end to the disc 23 to bias the arm 28 in a direction toward the drum 17. Also associated with the drum 17 is a stop pawl 32 which comprises an elongated bar of metal pivotally supported at its upper end from the wall 2 by means of a block 33 (a portion of the pawl 32 being broken away in FIG. 3). As illustrated in FIG. 5 the drum 17 is provided with a longitudinally extending notch 34, which in the embodiment of the invention illustrated is V- shaped in transverse cross section and thus adapted to complcmentally engage the adjacent portions of the pawls 32 and 28.

Thus counterclockwise movement of the drive member 22, as viewed in FIG. 3, will result in corresponding movement of the drum 17 and head 11. Rotation of the pawl carrier 22 in the opposite direction will have no effect on the head 11 as the pawl 32 will prevent corresponding movement of the head and the pawl 27 will be ineffective to transmit movement from the pawl carrier to the drum.

Also pivotally supported on the shaft 19, for example on bushings 35, is a second ratchet drum 36 having a pawl-receiw ing notch 37 therein cooperable with a drive pawl 38, generally similar in construction to the drive pawl 27 and pivotally supported on the disc 24 with the pawl leg of 28 of the pawl being urged into engagement with the drum by a tension spring 39 having one end operatively connected to the arm 29 of the pawl and the opposite end to the disc 24. Pivotally supported from the rear wall 3 is a stop pawl 41 also cooperable with the notch 37. As the stop pawls 32 and 31 are maintained in engagement with their respective drums by the action of gravity, no springs are required.

Rigidly secured to the drum 36 and rotatable therewith is a pinion 42, the adjacent end of the hollow shaft 19 being journaled in a suitable bearing 43 carried by a stationary upright 44.

. It will thus be apparent that rotation of the pawl carrier 22 in a counterclockwise direction will rotate the drum 16 and with it the head 11, while rotation of the carrier 22 in a clockwise direction will result in rotation of the pinion 42 therewith. Thus assuming that the means for driving the pawl carrier 22 is operated to rotate the carrier one revolution in a clockwise direction and then one revolution in counterclockwise direction the carrier will be returned to its original position. Upon each repetition ofsuch cycle the pinion 42 will be rotated in a clockwise direction through one revolution and the head 11 rotated counterclockwise through one revolution.

The drive shaft 12, rotatably supported in suitable bearings, is provided at its inner end with a disc 45 which is operatively connected to a reciprocal shaft 46, slidably journaled in the end wall 4 of the housing and a stationary upright 47, by a connecting rod 48 pivoted at one end to a block 49 rigidly mounted on the shaft 46 and at its other end pivotally supported on the eccentric 50 carried by the disc 45. Suitably mounted or formed on the lower portion of the shaft 46 is a rack 51 which is meshed with the pinion 26 of the pawl carrier 22. The diameter of the pinion 26 and dimensioning of the cocentric connection of the shaft 46 to the disc 45 is such that one revolution of the shaft 12 will rotate each of the drums l7 and 36 from their positions illustrated in FIG. 5, one complete revolution in opposite directions.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6, the hump former 15 is provided with a radially extending pin 52 which extends through anarcuate opening 53 in the head 11 into a similar-shaped opening 54 in a generally L-shaped block 55 freely supported on the head 11, such block being retained in operative position illustrated in FIG. 3 with respect to counterclockwise rotation of the head 11 by an adjustable cam stop 56 carried by the front wall 2 of the housing. The head 11 is also provided with a counterbore 57 adjacent its inner end and an axially extending bore 58 which opens on the inner end of the counterbore 57 of a size to receive the free end portion of a spring 59, the opposite free end of which extends in an axial direction and overlies the pin 52 thus biasing the pin in its extreme counterclockwise position illustrated in FIG. 3.

Slidably disposed within the hollow shaft 19 is an actuating rod 61 the outer end of which is provided with a head 62 and the inner end of which is provided with a transversely extending notch 63 cooperable with a projection 64 formed on the inner end of the hump former 15 by cutting a notch 65 in the latter. Thus, upon rotation of the head 11 in a clockwise direction, initial rotation will result in pivotal movement of the hump former 15 in a clockwise direction as a result of engagement of the pin 52 with the adjacent wall of the recess 54, and at any time during rotation of the head the hump former 15 may be drawn inwardly by corresponding movement on the actuating rod 61.

The Button Supply Mechanism The button supply mechanism 7 comprises upwardly extending magazine 66, which, for example, may be in the form of a supply duct operatively connected to a receptacle containing a supply of badges, the magazine 66 being suitably dimensioned whereby the passageway for the buttons has a transverse length somewhat larger than the diameter of the buttons employed and a transverse width or depth which is somewhat greater than the overall thickness or depth of a but= ton, whereby the latter are effectively guided downwardly to a transport disc 67 rigidly mounted on a shaft 68 supported ad= jacenl one end by the front wall 2 and at the rear end 'by the upright M, with the shaft being joumaled in suitable bearing carried by the respective members. The shaft 6% is provided adjacent its inner end with a spur gear 69 which is meshed with the drive pinion 42. The disc 67 is provided with a plurality of pockets 71, each of a size to receive one of the buttons to be fed, the embodiment illustrated employing six such pockets, which are formed by cutting notches in the periphery of the disc 67 and attaching cover plates 72 to the disc adjacent each notch so formed with each cover plate having a centrally disposed opening 73 therein. The disc 67 and its pockets, as well as the ratio of the gears 42-469 are so selected that one revolution of the pinion 42 in a clockwise direction will result in one-sixth revolution of the disc 67 in a counterclockwise direction, i.e., the exact distance to transport a pocket disposed adjacent the magazine 66 into operative alignment with the head 11.

Each rotation of the shaft 12 and reciprocation of the rack shaft 46 will therefore result in the transport of a button from the magazine 66 to the head 11. Retention of the transported button in the Cooperable pocket during such movement of the disc 67 is ensured by a backing plate 74 which is supported on a bar 75 having its right-hand end as viewed in FIG. 4, secured to the front wall 2, and its opposite end provided with bores 76 in which are slidably disposed pins 77 carried by the plate 74, the latter being urged into engagement with the disc 67 by respective compression springs 77.

Disposed closely adjacent to the head 11 at the left-hand side thereof as viewed in FIG. 8, is a plate or block 78 which is supported in spaced relation with respect to the front wall 2 by a pair of blocks 79, and slidably mounted on the end of the head 11 is a generally crescent or C-shaped collar or block 81 which has an inner diameter slightly larger than that of the head 11 and is provided with end edges 82 which abut on the adjacent edge of the plate 70, as clearly illustrated in FIGS. & and 6, with the collar being freely axially slidable with respect to the head 11 and the plate 78. The collar 81 is biased in an outward direction with respect to the head 11 by suitable means such as a pair of leaf springs 83, each having one end thereof bearing on the collar and the opposite end secured to the plate 70.

Cooperable with the collar 81 is a button holder 84 which is supported for axial movement on a bar 85, the button holder 84 being urged in a direction toward the disc 67 by a compres' sion spring 136.

The bar 05 is rigidly mounted on a reciprocable shaft 87 supported in bearing blocks 88 and 89 respectively mounted on the front wall} and rear wall 3. Also rigidly supported by the walls 2 and 3 in spaced parallel relation to the shaft 87 is a cylindrical guide bar 91. Rigidly connected to the shaft 87 and movable along the guide bar 91 is a carriage block 92 which is biased by a compression spring 93, encircling the shaft 87, to normally urge the shaft 87 and thus the button holder 343 in an outward direction away from the transport disc 67.

Actuation of the carriage 92 is effected by a lever 94 having one end pivotally mounted as indicated at 95 to the carriage block 92, the lever 94 being movable about a fixed pivot 96 supported on a stationary block 97, the opposite free end of the lever being disposed adjacent the disc 45 and provided with a cam roller 98 adapted to be engaged by the cam surface 99 forming an integral part of the disc 45. The arrangement is such that upon engagement of the roller with the cam surface, the roller will be cammed into the slot 101 to suitably retain the lever in its actuated position, which in turn will maintain I the button holder 84 in button-holding position. The Pin Supply Mechanism Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 8 and 9, the pin supply mechanism comprises a magazine 102 adapted to hold a plurality of pin blanks in the form of straight sections of wire stock preformed with a point at one end. The magazine is of a length to support the pin blanks in a horizontal position with the pointed ends adjacent the right wall of the magazine, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, and as illustrated in FIG. d, the lower portion of the magazine is constructed to form a passageway 103 for a single layer of pin blanks and is provided with a discharge outlet 104 through which the pointed end of the lowermost pin blank in the channel 103 may be discharged therefrom.

The mechanism for effecting discharge of the pin blanks from the magazine 102 comprises a push rod 105 having a diameter approximately the same as that of the pin blanks and is disposed for reciprocation through an opening 106 at the left side of the magazine in alignment with the bottom pin blank in the magazine and the discharge opening 104. The push rod 105 is rigidly supported by an arm 107 which in turn is rigidly secured to an extension 100 of the reciprocable shaft Thus, each time the shaft 46 is reciprocated from left to right, the bottommost pin blank in the magazine will be discharged therefrom and fed toward the head 11, and upon reaching the end of its return movement the next pin blank will be permitted to fall into operative position to be fed during the next cycle of operation.

To ensure proper feeding of the pin blanks into position to be discharged from the magazine, suitable agitating means for the pin supply may be provided, which in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, as in FIGS. 1, 8 and 9, comprises a pair of pins 109 formed from wire stock approximately the same as that of the pin blanks, each pin being generally L- shaped having a downwardly depending leg 111 and a horizontally extending leg 1112, the latter being disposed in suitably formed recesses I13. Cooperable with the free ends of the portions 111, is a pivoted plate 114, the axial pivot 115 of which is disposed adjacent the wall 2 with the free end of the plate being in a position to engage the downwardly depending ends of the portions 111. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the intermediate portion of the plate from the pivot to adjacent the lower ends of the pins 109 is inclined downwardly forming a cam surface for an upwardly extending projection 116 on an arm 117 rigidly connected to the adjacent end of the shaft 87. Thus assuming that the shaft 87 is in its retracted position with the button holder 84 engaging a button on the head 11, the arm 117 will be so positioned that the plate 114 does not actuate the pins 109. However, upon extension of the shaft 87 to the position illustrated in FIG. 2, the projection 116 will cam the plate 114 upwardly raising the pins 109 to agitate the supply of pin blanks, thereby ensuring a satisfactory feeding of the pin blanks into the channel 103 in operative position to be discharged therefrom.

The amount oflift of the pins 109 and thus amount of agitation may be readily controlled by varying the location of the arm 117 with respect to the plate 114 and if desired, the connection between the arm 117 and the shaft 87 may be constructed to permit adj ustment.

Referring particularly to FIG. 4S, mounted on the front face of the plate 70 is a guide member or plate 118 which cooperates with the adjacent face of the plate 78 to form a channel 119, open at its top edge, for guiding a pin blank fed from the magazine into the head 11 and cooperable with such guide, is a second guide 12ll having a downwardly depending end 122 disposed adjacent the outlet from the magazine 102 in a position to guide pin blanks discharged from the latter insofar as upward movement thereof is concerned. Also secured to the plate 70 is a forming pin 123 which is disposed adjacent the head 11 in slightly spaced relation with respect thereto as clearly illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 9-15 The pin blank feeding mechanism thus is operative to feed a pin blank into the head It to a position substantially as illustrated in FIG. 9. Hump-Forming Mechanism The head Ill is also constructed to put a bend or hump in the pin portion of the blank adjacent its connection with the mounting portion whereby the free pointed end extends angularly toward the button instead of more or less parallel thereto, such hump or bend taking a configuration substantially as illustrated in FIG. 36. The details thereof with respect to the hump-forming rod 1d, and actuating rod 61 therefor have been previously described in connection with the forming adjacent the head 62 of the hump-forming mechanism with a transversely extending arm 129 having a slot 131 therein of a size to receive the head 62 therein, the slot being so proportioned that the head 62 may freely rotate with respect to the slot 131 but with a minimum amount of axial play therebetween. Thus, as the shaft 9 is rotated, the lever 126 will be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction as the roller 127 thereof rides on an inclined cam face 132 formed integrally with the disc 45, such counterclockwise movement of the lever 126 drawing the rod 61 in an axial direction to the right as viewed in FIG. and through the connection of the rod 61 with the hump former 15, the latter will be drawn inwardly with respect to the adjacent end face of the head 11, thereby putting a hump or crimp in the wire substantially as illustrated in FIG. 16.

Operation of the Apparatus As all of the actuating mechanisms involved derive their power from the drive shaft 9, it will be appreciated that all of the respective functions are performed in preset sequence.

The general sequential operation of the apparatus may be briefly outlined as follows: With the reciprocable shaft at its extreme left-hand limit, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, rotation of the shaft 9 in a counterclockwise direction will result in the shaft 46 moving to the right to feed a pin blank into the head 11 and simultaneously rotate the disc 67 counterclockwise to bring a button into operative position with respect to the head. The button is then pressed into position on the head and pin blank, and as the shaft 46 reverses its direction the forming head 11 is rotated to curl the pin blank. As the operation continues, the hump-forming mechanism will be actuated to form the desired crimp or hump in the pin portion, and the end of curled blank ultimately will be full to expand into the button. The button assembly is then released and discharged from the head as the mechanism approaches its original starting position.

Considering the operation in detail, and referring particularly to FIGS. 26, upon rotation of the shaft 9 in counterclockwise direction, the only action will take place through the connecting rod 48 and shaft 46, operatively connected thereto, as the rollers 98 and 127 are disengaged from their cooperable cam elements, with the spring 93 biasing the lever 94 in a counterclockwise direction and the spring 128 biasing the lever 126 in a clockwise direction. Movement of the shaft 46 will initially result in the feeding movement of the push rod 105 to eject a pin blank from the magazine 102, ultimately feeding it along the guide slot 119 into the head 11 to a position substantially as illustrated in FIG. 9. At the same time,

such movement of the shaft 46 and the rack 50 carried thereby will result in a clockwise rotation of the pawl carrier 22, as viewed in FIG. 3, the head 11 remaining stationary dur ing this rotation, as it is prevented from rotating in a clockwise direction by the stop pawl 32, while the drum 36 and with its pinion 42 is rotated with the pawl carrier 22 through its connection with the pawl 39. Rotation of the pinion 42 in turn rotates the spur gear 69 carried by the shaft 68 and thus rotates the button-carrying disc 67 through one step of its advancement in a counterclockwise direction to thereby transport a button from the magazine 66 into substantial alignment with the free end of the head 11. During such transport, the button is prevented from falling out of the associated pocket in the disc 67 by the resiliently supported backing plate 74 and adjacent face of the collar 81, the outer face of which is likewise bearing on the adjacent surface of the disc 67. Upon completion ofsuch stroke of the shaft 46, resulting from a half rotation of the shaft 9, the cam surfaces 99 and 132 will be positioned adjacent their respective cooperable rollers 98 and 127 and the pin blank and button are disposed adjacent the forming head 11 for cooperable assembly. The drum 36 thus has completed one revolution.

Continued rotation of the shaft 9 will result in the cam surface 99 engaging the roller 98, rocking the lever 94 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2 and thereby moving the carriage block 92 toward the rear wall 3, and at the same time drawing the rod 87, rigidly connected thereto, in the same direction to move the button holder 84 into engagement with the button, thereby moving the button out of the pocket toward the adjacent end of the forming head, at the same time moving the sleeve 81 rearwardly against the action of its biasing springs 83 to position the button on the head substantially as illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 11, the adjacent portion of the pin blank, preventing complete seating of the button on the head. As the roller 98 will ride in the slot 101, the button holder 84 will be retained in operative position until the roller 98 rides out of the slot 101 at the end of the forming operation.

As the shaft 9 continues to turn, accompanies by axial movement of the shaft 46in a direction from right to left as viewed in FIG. 2, the direction of rotation of the pawl carrier 22 will be reversed, such reverse rotation however, having no effect on the drum 36 as the latter is maintained in fixed position by the stop pawl 41. However, as the pawl carrier 22 is now operatively connected to the drum 34 through the drive pawl 27, the latter drum will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction, thereby correspondingly rotating the head 11 with which it is rigidly connected. Simultaneously therewith the free end of the pin blank will be cammed around the forming pin 123, continued rotation of the forming head resulting in a curling of such portion of the pin blank as successively illustrated in FIGS. 13-15. Referring to FIG. 3, it will be noted that as the head 11 starts its counterclockwise rotation, the pin 52, disposed in the recess 54 will cam the hump former 15 in a clockwise direction with respect to the head 11 until the pin 52 is disposed substantially within the periphery of the head 11 which is operative to rotate the hump former from a position such as illustrated in FIG. 10 to the position illustrated in FIGS. 12-15.

As the forming head 11 continues to rotate, the rotation 'of the hump former as just described will result in efficient retention of the pointed end of the pin blank in the head as the opposite free end of the pin blank is engaged with the forming pin 123. As the head rotates from the position illustrated in FIG. 10 to the position illustrated in FIG. 15 engagement of the roller 127 with the cam face 132 will result in a counterclockwise rocking of the lever 126 about its pivot to draw the hump former l5 inwardly to its ultimate position as illustrated in FIG. 16, thereby completing the formation of a crimp or hump in such portion of the pin blank. During these operations, the button, as illustrated in FIG. 11, was cocked slightly with respect to the axis of the head 11 as a result of its engagement with the exposed portion of the pin blank which thus initially restricted further inward movement of the adjacent portion of the button and the button will remain in approximately the same position until the head 11 has rotated sufficiently to bring the extreme free end of the mounting portion of the pin blank within the periphery of the button, approximately illustrated in FIG. 15. At this point, the button will be released from the free end of the pin blank to permit the button to be fully seated on the head 11 under the action of the holder 84, and as the free end of the pin blank passes the forming pin 123, it is then free to expand into the button with such mounting portion firmly seating on the inner concave surface of the rim portion of the button.

At this point in the operation, the pin 52 will drop into the recess 5 6 and under the action of the spring 57 will I be returned to its original position with respect to the head 11, as illustrated in FIG. 10, and simultaneously therewith the roller 127 will ride off the cam surface 132 to permit the hump former to return to its initial axial position, as illustrated in FIG. 11. At this time, the roller 98 will be released from the cam slot 101 to permit the spring 93 to return the button holder 84 to its position illustrated in FIG. 2, thereby releasing the button. As the release of the button holder 84 resulted in the release of pressure on the button, and thus on the collar 81, the latter is free to move outwardly under the action of its springs 83, pushing the assembled button and pin off the forming head and back into the pocket which initially transported the button from the button supply magazine. Adjustment of the movement of the pin 52 may be effected by movement of the cam stop 56.

These operations have also resulted in the return of the shaft 46 to its initial position illustrated in FIG. 2 as well as all of the other mechanism associated therewith, The drum 17, and thus the forming head made one complete revolution during such operation, while the drum 36 made one complete revolution in the opposite direction. All of the parts are thus returned to their initial starting position. As the shaft 87 carrying the button holder 84 returns to its outward position, it will actuate the plate 114, thus agitating the pin supply to ensure proper downward feeding of the pin blanks into position for discharge from the magazine.

It will be apparent from the above description that l have provided a novel apparatus for forming and inserting a pin structure into a button member, as an automatic operation, with the buttons and pin blanks being individually fed into a forming head which automatically forms the mounting portion of the pin structure and at the same time puts a hump in the pin portion thereof to direct the pin toward the button with whichit is assembled, all of the operations taking place automatically with the only manual attention required being that necessary to keep the machine supplied with buttons and pin blanks.

It is also believed that l have provided a novel wire-forming head structure which automatically forms the mounting portion of the pin structure and at the same time provides the desired bump in the pin portion thereof.

Having thus described my invention, it will be obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention. Hence, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form construction and arrangement of parts herein shown and described for use mentioned.

I claim as my invention:

1. Apparatus for assembling wire pins in display buttons having a rearwardly extending rim portion constructed to receive and retain a pin structure of resilient wire stock which has a straight pin portion terminating in a pointed end, and a mounting portion at the opposite end constructed to resiliently engage the inner wall of said rim portion, comprising a rotatable wire-forming head, constructed to receive the pointed end ofsuch a pin blank, a fixed abutment disposed adjacent said head for engagement with such a pin blank at a point corresponding to the connection of the pin portion thereof with the mounting portion of the blank, means for rotating the head and blank disposed therein into engagement with said abutment operative to put a curl in the mounting portion thereof of a size to be disposed within the rim portion of such a button whereby the curl, upon passage of the free end of the mounting portion of engagement with said abutment, may expand into engagement with the rim portion of a button disposed adjacent said head, and wire-forming means cooperable with said head and engageable with the pin portion of a pin blank disposed in said head for drawing the same in an inward direction to put a bend in such pin blank biasing the pointedend toward such a button.

2. An assembly apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rotatable wire-forming head has an outwardly extending free end provided with a diametrical slot therein of a size to receive the pointed end portion of such a pin blank, a hollow shaft, rotatable with said head, the latter having a bore therein extending parallel to the axis thereof and intersecting said slot,

said wire-deforming means comprising a wire-deforming member disposed in said bore having a pin-engageable hook portion at its outer end arranged to engage a pin blank disposed in said slot adjacent the juncture of the pin portion with the mounting portion thereof, said deforming member being rotatable relative to said head for effecting engagement and disengagement of said hook portion with such a pin blank, said slot having bottom walls which diverge outwardly from their intersection with said bore, said deforming member being axially movable inwardly in said bore for forming a bend in a pin blank disposed in said slot, a radially extending pin carried by said deforming member and engageable with stationary cam means for effecting partial rotation of said deforming member as the head is rotated, spring means operatively engaging said head and pin for biasing said deforming member in blank-releasing position, an axially extending draw rod disposed in said hollow shaft, cooperable means on the adjacent ends of said deforming member and draw rod for connecting the same for the transmission of axial movement of said draw rod to said deforming member.

3. Apparatus for assembling wire pins in display buttons having a rearwardly extending rim portion constructed to receive and retain a pin structure of resilient wire stock which has a straight pin portion terminating in a pointed end, and a mounting portion at the opposite end constructed to resiliently engage the inner wall of said rim portion, comprising a rotatable wire-forming head, means for feeding a straight pointed pin blank in axial direction across and into engagement with said head a predetermined distance to provide a pin portion of desired length, means for conveying a button to said head with said rim portion encircling the adjacent portion of said head, adjacent said pin blank, means engageable with said button for retaining the same in such position, a fixed abutment disposed for engagement with such a pin blank at a point corresponding to the connection of the pin portion with the mounting portion of the blank, means for rotating the head and blank disposed therein into engagement with said abutment operative to put a curl in the mounting portion thereof of a size to be disposed within the rim portionwhereby the curl, upon passage of the free end of the mounting portion out of engagement with said abutment, may expand into engagement with said rim portion, and wire-deforming means on said head engageable with said pin portion adjacent its mounted end for drawing the same in a direction away from the inner face of said button to put a bend in said pin blank biasing the pointed end thereof toward said button.

4i. An assembly apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said head is of generally cylindrical construction, having a transversely extending slot extending across the outer end thereof of a size to receive the pin portion of the pin blank, said wire-deforming means comprising a member movable in the direction of the head axis and formed at its outer end for releasable engagement with the wire blank, and means for moving said member while engaged with the pin blank, in a direction away from such button.

5. An assembly apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said deforming member comprises a cylindrical rod having its axis extending in the same direction as that of the head, the outer end of said rod terminating in a hooklike member, and cooperable means on said rod and a stationary part of the apparatus for effecting partial rotation of said rod to control engagement and disengagement of said hooklike member with respect to the pin blank.

6. An assembly apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said pin-feeding means includes fixed means for guiding a pin blank into said head for axial movement, such guiding means being constructed to provide an elongated pinreceiving guide channel in which the mounting portion of a pin blank is disposed, following feeding of such a blank into said head, said guide channel being open along one longitudinal edge to permit such a mounting portion to move laterally out of the guide channel as said head is rotated.

7. An assembly apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said pin-feeding means comprises a magazine disposed adjacent to but spaced from said head for containing a supply of pin blanks vertically disposed one above the other in a common plane, with their pointed ends pointing in a direction toward said head, a reciprocable push rod disposed to engage the blunt end of the lowermost pin blank for discharging the latter from the magazine, means disposed between said magazine and head for guiding a discharged pin blank into the slot in said head, and means for actuating said push rod, said abutment comprising a stationary forming pindisposed adjacent to said head and engageable, upon rotation of the latter, with the free end ofa pin blank carried by said head.

8. An assembly apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said button-conveying means comprises a button-conveying disc, having a plurality of button-receiving pockets therein, rigidly carried by a shaft rotatable on an axis extending parallel to that of said head, means disposed adjacent said disc for supplying buttons to the pockets of said disc as the latter is rotated, said disc being so positioned with respect to said head that a conveyed button will be disposed adjacent the end of said head, said button-retaining means comprising a reciprocably movable member engageable with such a conveyed button for moving and retaining the same in engagement with said head, and a spring-biased collar slidably movable on said head engageable with such a button for opposing such movement of the button, and operable to return such button to its original position in the associated pocket upon release ofsaid button-retaining means.

9. An assembly apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said rotatable wire-forming head has an outwardly extending free end provided with a diametrical slot therein of a size to receive the pointed end portion of such a pin blank, a hollow shaft, rotatable with said head, a ratchet drum and a pawl carrier supported upon said shaft, said drum being rigidly connected'to said head and said pawl carrier being freely rotatable on said shaft, 3 drive pawl carried by said-pawl carrier, operative to effect engagement of the latter with said drum for rotating the latter therewith in one direction of the pawl'carrier, pawl means for preventing rotation of said drum in the opposite direction, drive means for rotating said pawl carrier one complete revolution in drum-driving direction, said head having a bore therein extending parallel to the axis thereof and intersecting said slot, said wire-deforming means comprising a wire-deforming member disposed in said bore having a pin-engageable hook portion at its outer end arranged to engage a pin blank disposed in said slot adjacent the juncture of the pin portion with the mounting portion thereof, said deforming member being rotatable relative to said head for effecting engagement and disengagement of said hook portion with such a pin blank, said slot having bottom walls which diverge outwardly from their intersection with said bore, said deforming member being axially movable inwardly in said bore for forming a bend in a pin blank disposed in said slot, a radially extending pin carried by said deforming member and engageable with stationary cam means for effecting partial rotation of said deforming member as the head is rotated, spring means operatively engaging said head and pin for biasing said deforming member in blank-releasing position, an axially extending draw rod disposed in said hollow shaft, and cooperable means on the adjacent ends of said deforming member and draw rod for connecting the same for the transmission of axial movement of said draw rod to said deforming member.

10. An assembly apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said pin-feeding means comprises a magazine disposed adjacent to but spaced from said head for containing a supply of pin blanks, vertically disposed one above the other in a common plane, with their pointed ends pointing in a direction toward said head, a reciprocable push rod disposed to engage the blunt end of the lowermost pin blank for discharging the latter from the magazine, means disposed between said magazine and head for guiding a discharged pin blank into the slot in said head, and means for connecting said push rod to the drive means for said pawl carrier for actuating said push rod, said abutment comprising a stationary forming pin disposed adjacent to said head and engageable, upon rotation of the latter, with the free end of a pin blank disposed in said slot.

11. An assembly apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said rotatable wire-forming head has an outwardly extending free end provided with a diametrical slot therein of a size to receive the pointed end portion of such a pin blank, a hollow shaft, rotatable with said head, a pair of spaced ratchet drums and an intermediate pawl carrier supported upon said shaft, a first of said drums being rigidly connected to said head, and the second of said drums and said pawl carrier being freely rotatable on said shaft, said second drum having a gear mounted thereon, a carrier pawl, for each drum, carried by said pawl carrier, operative to effect engagement of the latter with one drum for rotating the latter therewith in one direction ofthe pawl carrier, and engagement of the pawl carrier with the other drum for rotating the latter therewith in the opposite direction, pawl means for preventing rotation of the respective drums in the opposite directions, reciprocable drive means for rotating said pawl carrier one complete revolution in one direction and return said pawl carrier one complete revolution in the opposite direction, said head having a bore therein extending parallel to the axis thereof and intersecting said slot, said wire-deforming means comprising a wiredeforming member disposed in said bore having a pin-engageable hook portion at its outer end arranged to engage a pin blank disposed in said slot adjacent the juncture of the pin portion with the mounting portion thereof, said deforming member being rotatable relative to said head for effecting engagement and disengagement of said hook portion with such a pin blank, said slot having bottom walls which diverge outwardly from their intersection, with said bore, said deforming member being axially movable inwardly in said bore for forming a bend in a pin blank disposed in said slot, a radially extending pin carried by said deforming member and engageable with stationary cam means for effecting partial rotation of said deforming member as the head is rotated, spring means operatively engaging said head and pin for biasing said deforming member in blank-releasing position, an axially extending draw rod disposed in said hollow shaft, cooperable means on the adjacent ends of said deforming member and draw rod for connccting the same for the transmission of axial movement of said draw rod to deforming member, said pin-feeding means comprising a magazine disposed adjacent to but spaced from said head for containing a supply of pin blanks, vertically disposed one above the other in a common plane with their pointed ends pointing in a direction toward said head, a reciprocable push rod disposed to engage the blunt end of the lowermost pjn blank for discharging the latter from the magazine, means disposed between said magazine and head for guiding a discharged pin blank into the slot in said head, means for connecting said push rod to the reciprocable drive means for said pawl carrier for actuating said push rod, said abutment comprising a stationary forming pin disposed adjacent to said head and engageable, upon rotation of the latter, with the free end of a pin blank disposed in said slot, said button-conveying means comprising a button-conveying disc, having a plurality of button-receiving pockets therein, rigidly carried by a shaft rotatable on an axis extending parallel to that of said head, means disposed adjacent said disc for supplying buttons to the pockets of said disc as the latter is rotated, said disc being so positioned with respect to said head that a conveyed button will be disposed adjacent the end of said head, said button-retaining means comprising a reciprocably movable member engageable with such a conveyed button for moving and retaining the same in engagement with said head, a spring-biased collar slidably movable on said head engageable with such a button for opposing such movement of the button, and operable to return such a button to its original position in the associated pocket upon release of said button-retaining means, and a driven gear mounted on 7 .13 said disc-supporting shaft cooperable with the driving gear carried by said second ratchet drum.

12. An assembly apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said pin blank guide means is constructed to provide a pinreceiving guide channel in which the mounting portion of a pin blank is disposed, following feeding of such a blank into said head, said guide channel being open along its top edge to permit such a mounting portion to move upwardly out of the guide channel as said gear is rotated.

13. An assembly apparatus according to claim 10, comprising in further combination, a rotatable drive shaft, an eccentric carried by said drive shaft and cooperable connecting rod operatively connected to said pawl-carrier-driving means for effecting reciprocation thereof, first cam means on said drive shaft, means actuatable by said cam means operatively connected with said button-retaining member for effecting actuation thereof to button-retaining position, second cam means on said drive shaft, and means actuatable by said second cam means operatively connected with said draw rod for actuating the latter. 

1. Apparatus for assembling wire pins in display buttons having a rearwardly extending rim portion constructed to receive and retain a pin structure of resilient wire stock which has a straight pin portion terminating in a pointed end, and a mounting portion at the opposite end constructed to resiliently engage the inner wall of said rim portion, comprising a rotatable wireforming head, constructed to receive the pointed end of such a pin blank, a fixed abutment disposed adjacent said head for engagement with such a pin blank at a point corresponding to the connection of the pin portion thereof with the mounting portion of the blank, means for rotating the head and blank disposed therein into engagement with said abutment operative to put a curl in the mounting portion thereof of a size to be disposed within the rim portion of such a button whereby the curl, upon passage of the free end of the mounting portion of engagement with said abutment, may expand into engagement with the rim portion of a button disposed adjacent said head, and wire-forming means cooperable with said head and engageable with the pin portion of a pin blank disposed in said head for drawing the same in an inward direction to put a bend in such pin blank biasing the pointed end toward such a button.
 2. An assembly apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rotatable wire-forming head has an outwardly extending free end provided with a diametrical slot therein of a size to receive the pointed end portion of such a pin blank, a hollow shaft, rotatable with said head, the latter having a bore therein extending parallel to the axis thereof and intersecting said slot, said wire-deforming means comprising a wire-deforming member disposed in said bore having a pin-engageable hook portion at its outer end arranged to engage a pin blank disposed in said slot adjacent the juncture of the pin portion with the mounting portion thereof, said deforming member being rotatable relative to said head for effecting engagement and disengagement of said hook portion with such a pin blank, said slot having bottom walls which diverge outwardly from their intersection with said bore, said deforming member being axially movable inwardly in said bore for forming a bend in a pin blank disposed in said slot, a radially extending pin carried by said deforming member and engageable with stationary cam means for effecting partial rotation of said deforming member as the head is rotated, spring means operatively engaging said head and pin for biasing said deforming member in blank-releasing position, an axially extending draw rod disposed in said hollow shaft, cooperable means on the adjacent ends of said deforming member and draw rod for connecting the same for the transmission of axial movement of said draw rod to said deforming member.
 3. Apparatus for assembling wire pins in display buttons having a rearwardly extendinG rim portion constructed to receive and retain a pin structure of resilient wire stock which has a straight pin portion terminating in a pointed end, and a mounting portion at the opposite end constructed to resiliently engage the inner wall of said rim portion, comprising a rotatable wire-forming head, means for feeding a straight pointed pin blank in axial direction across and into engagement with said head a predetermined distance to provide a pin portion of desired length, means for conveying a button to said head with said rim portion encircling the adjacent portion of said head, adjacent said pin blank, means engageable with said button for retaining the same in such position, a fixed abutment disposed for engagement with such a pin blank at a point corresponding to the connection of the pin portion with the mounting portion of the blank, means for rotating the head and blank disposed therein into engagement with said abutment operative to put a curl in the mounting portion thereof of a size to be disposed within the rim portion whereby the curl, upon passage of the free end of the mounting portion out of engagement with said abutment, may expand into engagement with said rim portion, and wire-deforming means on said head engageable with said pin portion adjacent its mounted end for drawing the same in a direction away from the inner face of said button to put a bend in said pin blank biasing the pointed end thereof toward said button.
 4. An assembly apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said head is of generally cylindrical construction, having a transversely extending slot extending across the outer end thereof of a size to receive the pin portion of the pin blank, said wire-deforming means comprising a member movable in the direction of the head axis and formed at its outer end for releasable engagement with the wire blank, and means for moving said member while engaged with the pin blank, in a direction away from such button.
 5. An assembly apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said deforming member comprises a cylindrical rod having its axis extending in the same direction as that of the head, the outer end of said rod terminating in a hooklike member, and cooperable means on said rod and a stationary part of the apparatus for effecting partial rotation of said rod to control engagement and disengagement of said hooklike member with respect to the pin blank.
 6. An assembly apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said pin-feeding means includes fixed means for guiding a pin blank into said head for axial movement, such guiding means being constructed to provide an elongated pin-receiving guide channel in which the mounting portion of a pin blank is disposed, following feeding of such a blank into said head, said guide channel being open along one longitudinal edge to permit such a mounting portion to move laterally out of the guide channel as said head is rotated.
 7. An assembly apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said pin-feeding means comprises a magazine disposed adjacent to but spaced from said head for containing a supply of pin blanks vertically disposed one above the other in a common plane, with their pointed ends pointing in a direction toward said head, a reciprocable push rod disposed to engage the blunt end of the lowermost pin blank for discharging the latter from the magazine, means disposed between said magazine and head for guiding a discharged pin blank into the slot in said head, and means for actuating said push rod, said abutment comprising a stationary forming pin disposed adjacent to said head and engageable, upon rotation of the latter, with the free end of a pin blank carried by said head.
 8. An assembly apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said button-conveying means comprises a button-conveying disc, having a plurality of button-receiving pockets therein, rigidly carried by a shaft rotatable on an axis extending parallel to that of said head, means disposed adjacent said disc for supplying buttons to the pockets of said disc as the latter is rotated, said disc being so positioned with respect to said head that a conveyed button will be disposed adjacent the end of said head, said button-retaining means comprising a reciprocably movable member engageable with such a conveyed button for moving and retaining the same in engagement with said head, and a spring-biased collar slidably movable on said head engageable with such a button for opposing such movement of the button, and operable to return such button to its original position in the associated pocket upon release of said button-retaining means.
 9. An assembly apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said rotatable wire-forming head has an outwardly extending free end provided with a diametrical slot therein of a size to receive the pointed end portion of such a pin blank, a hollow shaft, rotatable with said head, a ratchet drum and a pawl carrier supported upon said shaft, said drum being rigidly connected to said head and said pawl carrier being freely rotatable on said shaft, a drive pawl carried by said pawl carrier, operative to effect engagement of the latter with said drum for rotating the latter therewith in one direction of the pawl carrier, pawl means for preventing rotation of said drum in the opposite direction, drive means for rotating said pawl carrier one complete revolution in drum-driving direction, said head having a bore therein extending parallel to the axis thereof and intersecting said slot, said wire-deforming means comprising a wire-deforming member disposed in said bore having a pin-engageable hook portion at its outer end arranged to engage a pin blank disposed in said slot adjacent the juncture of the pin portion with the mounting portion thereof, said deforming member being rotatable relative to said head for effecting engagement and disengagement of said hook portion with such a pin blank, said slot having bottom walls which diverge outwardly from their intersection with said bore, said deforming member being axially movable inwardly in said bore for forming a bend in a pin blank disposed in said slot, a radially extending pin carried by said deforming member and engageable with stationary cam means for effecting partial rotation of said deforming member as the head is rotated, spring means operatively engaging said head and pin for biasing said deforming member in blank-releasing position, an axially extending draw rod disposed in said hollow shaft, and cooperable means on the adjacent ends of said deforming member and draw rod for connecting the same for the transmission of axial movement of said draw rod to said deforming member.
 10. An assembly apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said pin-feeding means comprises a magazine disposed adjacent to but spaced from said head for containing a supply of pin blanks, vertically disposed one above the other in a common plane, with their pointed ends pointing in a direction toward said head, a reciprocable push rod disposed to engage the blunt end of the lowermost pin blank for discharging the latter from the magazine, means disposed between said magazine and head for guiding a discharged pin blank into the slot in said head, and means for connecting said push rod to the drive means for said pawl carrier for actuating said push rod, said abutment comprising a stationary forming pin disposed adjacent to said head and engageable, upon rotation of the latter, with the free end of a pin blank disposed in said slot.
 11. An assembly apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said rotatable wire-forming head has an outwardly extending free end provided with a diametrical slot therein of a size to receive the pointed end portion of such a pin blank, a hollow shaft, rotatable with said head, a pair of spaced ratchet drums and an intermediate pawl carrier supported upon said shaft, a first of said drums being rigidly connected to said head, and the second of said drums and said pawl carrier being freely rotatable on said shaft, said second drum having a gear mounted thereon, a carrier pawl, for each drum, carried by said pawl carrier, operative to effect engagement of the latter with one drum for rotating the latter therewith in one direction of the pawl carrier, and engagement of the pawl carrier with the other drum for rotating the latter therewith in the opposite direction, pawl means for preventing rotation of the respective drums in the opposite directions, reciprocable drive means for rotating said pawl carrier one complete revolution in one direction and return said pawl carrier one complete revolution in the opposite direction, said head having a bore therein extending parallel to the axis thereof and intersecting said slot, said wire-deforming means comprising a wire-deforming member disposed in said bore having a pin-engageable hook portion at its outer end arranged to engage a pin blank disposed in said slot adjacent the juncture of the pin portion with the mounting portion thereof, said deforming member being rotatable relative to said head for effecting engagement and disengagement of said hook portion with such a pin blank, said slot having bottom walls which diverge outwardly from their intersection, with said bore, said deforming member being axially movable inwardly in said bore for forming a bend in a pin blank disposed in said slot, a radially extending pin carried by said deforming member and engageable with stationary cam means for effecting partial rotation of said deforming member as the head is rotated, spring means operatively engaging said head and pin for biasing said deforming member in blank-releasing position, an axially extending draw rod disposed in said hollow shaft, cooperable means on the adjacent ends of said deforming member and draw rod for connecting the same for the transmission of axial movement of said draw rod to deforming member, said pin-feeding means comprising a magazine disposed adjacent to but spaced from said head for containing a supply of pin blanks, vertically disposed one above the other in a common plane with their pointed ends pointing in a direction toward said head, a reciprocable push rod disposed to engage the blunt end of the lowermost pin blank for discharging the latter from the magazine, means disposed between said magazine and head for guiding a discharged pin blank into the slot in said head, means for connecting said push rod to the reciprocable drive means for said pawl carrier for actuating said push rod, said abutment comprising a stationary forming pin disposed adjacent to said head and engageable, upon rotation of the latter, with the free end of a pin blank disposed in said slot, said button-conveying means comprising a button-conveying disc, having a plurality of button-receiving pockets therein, rigidly carried by a shaft rotatable on an axis extending parallel to that of said head, means disposed adjacent said disc for supplying buttons to the pockets of said disc as the latter is rotated, said disc being so positioned with respect to said head that a conveyed button will be disposed adjacent the end of said head, said button-retaining means comprising a reciprocably movable member engageable with such a conveyed button for moving and retaining the same in engagement with said head, a spring-biased collar slidably movable on said head engageable with such a button for opposing such movement of the button, and operable to return such a button to its original position in the associated pocket upon release of said button-retaining means, and a driven gear mounted on said disc-supporting shaft cooperable with the driving gear carried by said second ratchet drum.
 12. An assembly apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said pin blank guide means is constructed to provide a pin-receiving guide channel in which the mounting portion of a pin blank is disposed, following feeding of such a blank into said head, said guide channel being open along its top edge to permit such a mounting portion to move upwardly out of the guide channel as said gear is rotated.
 13. An assembly apparatus according to claim 10, comprising in further combination, a rotatable drive shaft, an eccentric carried by said drive shaft and cooperable connecting rod operatively connected to said pawl-carrier-driving means for effecting reciprocation thereof, first cam means on said drive shaft, means actuatable by said cam means operatively connected with said button-retaining member for effecting actuation thereof to button-retaining position, second cam means on said drive shaft, and means actuatable by said second cam means operatively connected with said draw rod for actuating the latter. 